Maldives

Maldives Latest News

Maldivian Foreign Minister is on a three-day official visit to India, accompanied by a high-level delegation, marking his third visit to India in 2025.

Key Facts about the Maldives

• Capital: Male
• Official language: Dhivehi (an Indo-European language); Arabic, Hindi, and English are also spoken.
• Religion: Islam is the state religion and plays a central role in national governance.
• Economy: Heavily dependent on tourism, along with fisheries and foreign aid.
• Constitution: The 2008 Constitution defines a presidential system with direct elections for a maximum of two five-year terms.
• The Maldives has a tropical hot and humid climate, influenced by:
  • Northeast monsoon (dry season: November to March), and
  • Southwest monsoon (rainy season: June to August).

Geographical Features

• It is home to the 7th largest coral reef system in the world, contributing 3.14% of global reef area.
• The country has no rivers or streams and the average elevation is under 2 meters, making it highly vulnerable to sea-level rise.
• Barrier reefs provide natural protection against monsoon-related erosion and storm surges.
• The Maldives is an archipelagic state consisting of about 1,200 coral islands grouped in 26 atolls, located in the north-central Indian Ocean.
• It is strategically positioned astride major global sea lanes, making it vital for maritime trade and security in the IOR.
• The country lies south-southwest of India, separated from Lakshadweep by the Eight Degree Channel, a crucial sea route for India’s maritime movement.

Maldives FAQs

Q1: What is the geographical location of the Maldives?
Ans: The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka.

Q2: Why is the Maldives strategically important for India?
Ans: Due to its location near major sea lanes and proximity to India, it plays a key role in India’s maritime security and SAGAR vision.

Q3: What is the capital of the Maldives?
Ans: The capital of the Maldives is Malé.

Source: IE